Milwaukee Brewers - TeamReport

Brewers closer John Axford became accustomed to success in 2011, finishing the season with 43 consecutive saves, a club record.

This year has been more of a struggle for Axford, who was squandered save chances each of the past two nights.

First, Axford blew a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning Wednesday night in Kansas City. He created his own troubles by walking two hitters before Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar tied the game with a two-out triple.

"Obviously, those two walks are what caused the problem," Axford said. "Even that pitch running over the plate to Alcides, also not where I wanted it to be. I was looking at video. I don't really know what's going on.

"My fastball is cutting, it was running today, and generally it doesn't cut or run. That ball started outer third, ended up inner third, and my fastball's generally always straight.

"I don't know what my hand's doing at the end for it to be cutting in on lefties and running in on righties like it was today."

He found more trouble Thursday night, taking over in the ninth with a 3-2 lead and again blowing the save and the game. The Royals scored twice to win 4-3 and sweep the three-game interleague series. Axford saw his ERA balloon to 5.55 with seven runs allowed in 1 2/3 innings over his last three outings. He is 10-for-13 on save chances.

"It just kind of sucks right now that it's June and this is happening instead of maybe April, because we're still in the thick of things and we can string together some wins and get back into contention here in the Central," Axford said.

Axford had some command issues at the outset of 2011 before getting squared away and going on his run of consecutive saves. This season, he has been much more up-and-down with his stuff.

"Right now, in all honesty it's kind of embarrassing on my part because I just don't know, really, what's going on," he said. "I know I'm better than this. It's just not going my way."

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MLB Team Report - Milwaukee Brewers - NOTES, QUOTES

--RF/1B Corey Hart has experienced some swelling in his right knee, on which he underwent surgery during spring training to remove torn cartilage. Hart did OK with the knee while playing right field exclusively, but has had some soreness while playing more at first base of late. "I think it's because he's doing so much diving at first base," manager Ron Roenicke said. "He dives and then he goes down to block balls, and the knee is taking a pounding."

--The Brewers extended their affiliation with their rookie-level club in Helena, Mont., through the 2014 season. The Helena Brewers have been affiliated with Milwaukee since 2003, after a previous relationship from 1985-2000.

--C George Kottaras is back to full strength for the first time since straining his left hamstring in late May. Kottaras caught consecutive games Wednesday and Thursday for the first time since suffering that injury.

--OF Nyjer Morgan and 2B Rickie Weeks paid a visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, along with a Milwaukee camera crew. The players were surprised by a visit from Hall of Famer Lou Brock.

--LF Ryan Braun extended his interleague hitting streak to 19 games with a fourth-inning home run off Kansas City RHP Luke Hochevar. The streak is the longest current one in interleague play.

BY THE NUMBERS: 75 -- Strikeouts for both 2B Rickie Weeks and RF Corey Hart, tied for the National League lead.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Maybe he's trying to throw the ball too hard. When things aren't going right, you try to do a little bit more." -- Manager Ron Roenicke, on the recent struggles of closer John Axford.

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MLB Team Report - Milwaukee Brewers - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--C Jonathan Lucroy (broken bone in right hand) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 28. He had surgery May 31, and he is expected to be out until mid-July.

--1B Travis Ishikawa (strained left oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 26.

--SS Cesar Izturis (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list May 26.

--RHP Marco Estrada (right quadriceps strain) went on the 15-day disabled list May 24. He might be able to begin a rehab assignment during the weekend of June 15-17.

--SS Alex Gonzalez (torn right anterior cruciate ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list May 6, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 23. He underwent season-ending surgery May 17.

--1B Mat Gamel (torn right anterior cruciate ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 2, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 6. He underwent season-ending surgery May 22.

--LHP Chris Narveson (left rotator cuff tear) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 16, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He underwent season-ending surgery May 1.